new baby teil

[DebbieRay]

We have gotten our two inherited tiels back to their original owners. So now we only have our baby tiel (3 mos.) We love her sooo much and she is soooo sweet! She tastes us and explores us, she hisses some. Not alot. She steps up and she loves for us to let her out of her cage. I open the door and after about 15/20 mins., she is ready for me to get her. She loves mine and my young daughters jewelry. She loves us. More lately, she does this squeaky voice. She almost squeals. I think that's because she cannot get to our jewerly because our hair is in the way, she is fussing. My young daughter thinks she is telling us she loves us. I'm not sure weather or not she is mad or she is happy. We love her soooooo much. I justy want to understand her. (I guesse this is my first understanding of how a man feels wanting to know how or what a women is really thinking). It's making me think about that because my husband says I'm so spoiled and I don't see it. I think my little girl tiel is spoiled and she does not see it. (she's a baby). How does their behavior describe what they are feeling? How do I read her? Debbie

[smallonion]

Here is something that may help you understand your new tiel. Congrats on her, by the way I think this was posted before. Something else I noticed tiels do in the evening - hang upside down like a bat with wings outstretched. My friend says they're showing off. Any ideas?

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Ever wanted to know what your bird means? Here ya go! -

Standing on two feet - I'm alright
Standing on one foot -I'm relaxing
Standing on one foot, feathers fluffed- I'm really relaxing
Standing on one foot, grinding beak -I'm getting tired
Standing on one foot, half fluffed, eyes glazed - I'm trying to get some sleep
Head facing back, tucked under wing -I'm sleeping
Tail shake - OK, I'm ready for something new
Rubbing beak back and forth against perch -I'm cleaning my face
Standing on one foot with head tucked under- Just cleaning some feathers
Spread wings a little and rub face on back -Getting ready for some serious preening
Lift wing and picking at different feathers -I'm preening
Reach back, run feathers through beak -Preening, have to keep my tail looking its best
Standing straight, staring right at you -I'm ready to be picked up
Pacing back and forth on perch -I said I was ready to be picked up!
Standing on one foot and waving the other -Pick me up, NOW!
Head lowered, wings half raised, feathers fluffed, leaning forward up I see something -I want and if you don't pick me NOW I'm going to have a nervous breakdown
Flapping to the ground- I wanted you to pick me up but couldn't wait any longer
Standing on your foot -OK, I'm sorry for flapping to the ground, Pick me up, PLEASE
One foot shaking with claw beating quickly -I have an itch against the side of my head
Beak on the ground, neck feathers fluffed up -I want a scratch on my neck. Pet me!
Head down, left wing fully extended- Big Stretch!
Head down, right wing fully extended -Continuation of Big stretch
Head down, both wings partially extended upward -Big stretch, final episode
Mouth wide open, head extending as far up as it will go -Stretch/yawn combination
Head bobbing and then regurgitating -I LOVE YOU!
Grab side of cage with beak, bottom of cage with foot and scrape bottom with other foot -Let me out of here!!!
Holding on to top of cage with both feet and beak- I am going someplace
Hanging from top of cage with both feet -I am playing
Hanging from top of cage with one foot -No problem, still playing
Hanging from top of cage by beak only -No problem, still playing but trying to make you think I'm going to fall.
Hanging from top of cage and falling to bottom- Ooops, I guess that beak thing didn't work too well
Head lowered and turned 90 degrees- I see something on the floor that I want
Extending top part of beak and lapping with tongue -Whatever it is that you are drinking, I WANT it!!!
Standing on forearm, biting shirt at the shoulder and clawing upper arm- I want UP!
Hanging from shirt collar by beak and waving both feet in the air -I want down
Two steps back, rear-end rubbing table -I need to go potty!

[smallonion]

Here's another link about understanding your bird's body language

http://circleofwings.com/parrotdise/...dylanguage.htm

Michele and Humphrey

[DebbieRay]

Thank You sooo much!! Your list was both funny and intreging! The link you gave was very educational, I'll print them both to keep them close to me. It makes me excited that I can learn more about sweet Lily and how she shows us she's happy and secure. I do not want her to feel anxious or afraid.
We keep her out her cage when we are home and that's a good bit. This afternoon when I came home (I had been gone longer than usuall) I said "Hello sweet Lily" and she just started chirping, She chirped loud and alot. It made me feel like she was happy to hear my voice. I was upset that I could not go get her because we had to leave again. When we came home later that night and opened her cage, she came out immediately! She walked on the floor, all over the house and she followed myself and my Megan(my little girl) back and forth from room to room. She is very independant (like a cat). Is that a normal cockatiel trait? She will let us hold her, pet her, she will step up, I feel so fortunate that she is so good but she does pitch fits,(by fits I mean she makes this weird sound andd lunges forward toward you, usually it's when she is not getting what she wants. That's why I call it a fit). is that a normal trait? She will raise holly cane with you when she does not get her way. Is that a normal trait for cockatiels?
I think at a young age she already may be rotten. It's ok, we love her. I just do not want to prohibit bad behavior from her at such a young age
(3 1/2 mos.) and then she gets worse as she gets older. I want to keep her tame and social. Sorry I am rambling, thanks for all your help. Debbie

[Monica]

She sounds just right and mighty fine! LOL

I've got a handraised cockatiel as well, she was raised from the day she was born, and is now soon to turn 3 years old. She has the occasional fits as well when she doesn't get her way, or if I disturb her while she is sleeping. She is otherwise perfectly happy and loves to be with people! If she starts having a fit, a little wiggling of the index finger, n she wants more headscratches! LOL Well, sometimes she'll ask for headscratches (bowing of the head), then when your finger gets close enough, she goes into having a bit of a fit , though if ya keep wiggling your finger, you can be sure to win her over again!!! LOL

Just keep being sweet and gentle with her, and make sure that she is overall happy, and I'm sure she'll be fine as she matures into a young adult! Just don't spoil her too much!